Head Start Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Head Start Teacher plans and implements a quality program of educational activities for pre-school children that encourages growth and development in a variety of areas.  The Teacher also promotes a cooperative, constructive relationship with families to ensure the child's growth/development meets full potential.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate's degree in early childhood education or child development required.
• Bachelor's Degree in early childhood education or child development preferred
• Previous professional experience working with preschool-aged children preferred

COMPTENCIES AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to develop and implement classroom curriculum that encourages language, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of children.
• Ability to interact with children in a warm, nurturing manner.
• Must have current first-aid and CPR training. 
• Ability to work with children with developmental delays or disabilities.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn to conduct developmental screenings and assessments of children.
• Working knowledge of child development, age appropriate behaviors, common childhood behavior challenges and appropriate interventions.
• Knowledge of the practices of early childhood teaching.
• Ability to intervene with children's behaviors in a non-punitive and supportive manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively with young children and their families.
• Ability to develop and implement individual learning plans for children.
• Ability to implement individual education plans (IEP) and individual family service plans (IFSP) for children with disabilities. 

DUTIES AND RESPONBILITES:

• Responsible for ensuring that daily activities and interactions reflect the mission and goals of the program.
• Attend on-going trainings/workshops on the HighScope Curriculum and Child Observation Record (COR). Implement strategies learned from trainings/workshops attended.
• Implement curriculum activities, strategies, learning environment, and interactions in accordance to the PQA.
• Plan and implement a program of educational activities for children, including writing a weekly lesson plan that specifies a daily schedule, toward the achievement of specific curriculum goals as written in education component plan.
• Create a clean, safe classroom environment that is conducive to learning, promoting social relationships.
• Evaluate the accomplishments of the children on a regular basis and reports progress to parents/guardians.
• Plan and implement an individual learning plan for each child in the classroom. Implement IEP and IFSP goals as part of the individualization process.
• Plan and implement daily outdoor activities that develop gross motor skills and promote exploration and social relationships.
• Develop curriculum activities that reflect the ethnic/multi-cultural makeup of the community.
• Maintain compliance with child-care licensing and HHS regulations.
• Monitor and work in conjunction with co-teacher to provide a well-organized classroom.
• Assists in ensuring that all health and developmental screenings are up-to-date and complete.
• Promotes parent-child bonding and nurtures parent-child relationships. Assist in facilitating parent education workshops as assigned.
• Provide, document and report all program activities and interactions as required by contract, licensing, and programmatic goals.
• Implement classroom health, dental, and nutrition performance standards and document in weekly lesson plans.
• Coordinate mealtime service, including interacting with children and accurate CACFP record keeping.
• Provide children with experiences that support their full range of developmental and socio-emotional needs.
• Provide activities that foster development of a positive self-image; address physical and mental health needs of children and document in daily lesson plans.

WHAT STARFISH HAS TO OFFER...

• Full medical, dental, prescription, and vision coverage for full-time employees
• Long-term disability and short-term disability coverage 
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts 
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program  
• Retirement Plan with Employer Matching
• Paid Parental Leave 
• ​Creativity and Innovation supported and encouraged 
• On-the-job training and emphasis on Professional Development
• Agency sponsored Reflective Supervision 
• Self-Care and Employee Wellness Inspired Workplace 
• Agency sponsored Head Space